We know how it is: a new mall (or new extension of it) opens, and what better way to spread the word than to have a famous singer hold a free concert? For the singer and music label producers, on the other hand, meeting a captive audience is an opportunity to sign autographs and have photograph ‘selfies’ among those who buy his or her CD at the time of the concert.
I may have attended a number of mall-based free concerts like this, and Jed Madela’s Concert at the new East Wing of the Shangri-La Plaza Mall last August 23, 2014 was largely similar. However, something different about his concert that I noticed, was on how Jed connected with his audience.
He has a portion in this concert, wherein he asked people from the audience what they wanted him to sing, and for each request, he gamely sang them in acapella. It is heartwarming to see a singer like him who is familiar with very wide range of generations: from as old as “Impossible Dream” to as recent as “Love on Top” and “Let it Go.”
Being seated at his concert myself, I did not let this chance pass without requesting this first Filipino grand champion of the WCOPA (World Championship of Performing Arts) in Hollywood, to sing his version of “All of Me” by John Legend. To my surprise, he came closer and was looking at me the whole time he sang this song (imagine the exceptional voice with a soulful expression). I had to stare harder at how he looks like in person, as I knew that close friends and relatives back home are awaiting my response as to whether or not I agree Jed Madela is separated at birth with my husband (I recall someone made ‘transformation’ photos of them a few days before Jed’s concert).
Most of all, listening to my kasimanwa Jed (whose real name is John Edward Tajanlangit) makes me feel proud to hail from the Visayan region. I only have all my best wishes for him in all his (countless) endeavors these days, including the launch of his latest album “All Originals” repeat of his concert “All Requests” on September 12 (Music Museum), his upcoming rendition of “If You Don’t Want to Fall”
for the competition (Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs Competition 2014), his ASAP guesting and occasional appearances at Kris TV.